Help me stop rippin through batteries...

[MikeyKaVert]

i cant figure out why but my car has ABSOLUTELY NO juice. it will start with a jump so i know it's not any wiring. my starter is good. clutch release sensor, fuses, etc... it does nothing and this is my 2nd battery. can anyone help me figure out whats killing them so quick. im not even driving it atm, but i start it once a day (or at least till my battery died). help please

[zach-Ka]

Is your alternator good?Are your battery cables corroded at all?

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Are your connections tight and your terminals in good condition?

[MikeyKaVert]

my alternator is good. not great but it works (it is 17yrs old). there is a LITTLE corrosion on the end of my cables, and the connection on both are tight...i dont get why its killing it completely though. the dash lights are barely even showing its so low on power.oh and terminals are good too.
Modified by MikeyKaVert at 2:24 PM 8/12/2009

[C3Sierra_S2000]

Jump start it and get it running. Then disconnect the battery. If the car dies your alternator is dead. Basically your battery is only for starting. The car runs off the alternator. Also check your grounds. One other thing is copper cabling acts like a wick. If you ever had corrosion on your battery it can wick up into the cable. The terminals can be clean but there can be corrosion inside the insulation. Check alternator first, then replace battery cables. One last thing is there could be a low amperage drain in the car. If you can get your hands on an ammeter check to see if there is a current draw with the car off.

[alms24sebring]

I would say alternator but, if your not even driving anywhere and dying on its own, there has to be a draw somewhere. I hate these, draws can be a bish. I think to check for draws, you have to turn the car off and key out. Then check all fuses for current. If it has current, that component is stuck on. Its a bish when its a multifuse where 300 different things use that 1 fuse.

[MikeyKaVert]

Well i actually did the alternator test and its good. the only thing i could think of is either a short somewhere, or a draw. i think its a draw but what could draw the battery from brand new to nothing in one month? i just dropped off my battery to be recharged (it was free at least), so the next thing im going to do is get new cables. luckily my stepdad has an ammeter so i guess ill check that asap. thanks for all of your help.-Mikey

[OutToWinPAHC]

zer...-loss